Preview: Rangers vs Alloa Athletic - prediction, team news, lineups

Rangers will face Alloa Athletic at Ibrox on Saturday in the Scottish Cup as they seek to improve on their start to the season after a faulty start.

The Gers have not won any of their opening two fixtures in the new Premiership season and will seek the scalp of the League One side to earn their first domestic win.

Match preview

Rangers will begin their Premier Sports Cup campaign this weekend with a home tie against Alloa Athletic at Ibrox.

As one of five Scottish clubs competing in Europe this season, the Gers received a bye into the last 16, avoiding the group stage and going straight into the knockout rounds.

It has been a stuttering start to the new season for Russell Martin’s side. Rangers have drawn both of their opening Premiership fixtures, leaving them four points adrift of early leaders Hearts and Celtic.

While they come into this tie having lost just one of their last four matches in all competitions, three of those games have ended in draws, a statistic that shows a lack of cutting edge in recent weeks.

At Ibrox against Alloa, they have been dominant, winning twice and drawing three of the last five meetings between the sides, with the Wasps yet to register a victory.

The Gers’ attacking output has been impressive, averaging 3.15 goals per game, but defensive lapses have been an issue, with 1.8 goals conceded per match.

Rangers manager Russell Martin will be looking for a more balanced performance to ensure there is no room for a cup upset.

He will bank on the team's confidence after seeing off Czech side Viktoria Plzen 4-2 on aggregate on Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League.

Alloa Athletic arrive in Glasgow full of confidence after a perfect start to their League One campaign, with two wins from two leaving them joint top of the table.

Manager Andy Graham has his side in excellent form, winning six of their last ten games, drawing twice, and losing only twice.

The Wasps' attacking numbers are eye-catching, averaging 3.3 goals per game over their last 10 competitive and non-competitive fixtures, although they have also conceded at a rate of 1.8 goals per match.

Though they lost 2-1 away at Stranraer in the Scotland Challenge, they will be hoping to ruffle a few feathers at Ibrox when they clash with the former Scottish champions.

Historically, Alloa have found Rangers a tough opponent, with the Gers winning two and drawing three of their last five meetings.

However, in cup football, form and league status do not always dictate the outcome, and Graham’s men will head to Ibrox knowing that a disciplined performance could keep them in the contest long enough to make things interesting.

Rangers form (all competitions):

D D D W D L

Alloa Athletic Scottish League Cup form:

W W W W

Alloa Athletic form (all competitions):

W W W W W L

Team News

With fixtures coming thick and fast, Rangers manager Russell Martin may look to rotate his squad for this League Cup tie.

Nasser Djiga, who was sent off in the draw against Dundee, could be given a breather, with Ben Davies likely to step into central defence.

Such changes would allow the manager to keep key players fresh while maintaining solidity at the back.

The Gers will be without Dujon Sterling, who continues his recovery from tendon surgery, while young midfielder Bailey Rice remains sidelined through injury.

Both absences reduce Martin’s options, particularly in terms of flexibility in defensive and midfield roles. Nevertheless, the depth of the squad should allow Rangers to put out a competitive lineup.

Cyriel Dessers, who suffered a nasty injury in the UEFA Champions League qualifier against Czech side Viktoria Plzen is definitely out of the game.

For Alloa Athletic, goalkeeper LiamMcFarlane will once again be a crucial figure as they seek to cause a major upset at Ibrox on Saturday.

The 20-year-old has been a standout performer this season, producing key saves that have helped the Wasps maintain their perfect start in League One.

In attack, Andy Graham is expected to stick with the trio of Kurtis Roberts, Owen Foster, and Steven Buchanan. Roberts has already contributed a goal and an assist this season, while Foster and Buchanan bring pace and movement that can trouble defences on the counter.

Rangers possible starting lineup:

Butland; Aarons, Davies, Souttar, Jefte; Rothwell, Diomande, Cameron, Antman; Dessers, Danilo

Alloa Athletic possible starting lineup:

McFarlane; McKay, Devine, Waters, Foster; Roberts, Hetherington, Scougall; O’Donnell, Buchanan, Rankin

We say: Rangers 3-0 Alloa Athletic

Playing at Ibrox might be a huge task for Alloa, who will face a Rangers side looking to improve on their domestic form after two draws in the Premiership.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.